Greg O'Brien Replaced On JLL's Global Board, Steps Back As Markets Advisory CEO

JLL is shaking up its leadership in a move that will see longtime industry executive Greg O'Brien step down from his role on its Global Executive Board. 

The Chicago-based commercial real estate services giant announced Thursday that O'Brien would step down from his role as global CEO of its worldwide Markets Advisory division and relinquish his seat on the GEB. He will move into a new role as executive chairman of Americas Markets Advisory. 

Andy Poppink will replace O'Brien as Markets Advisory CEO and take his seat on the board. The Markets Advisory head oversees several major services at the firm including agency leasing, tenant representation and property management. 

“On behalf of the GEB and myself, I would like to acknowledge Greg’s partnership throughout the last decade, including leading our Markets Advisory business through our recent global realignment,” JLL CEO Christian Ulbrich said in a release. “Under his leadership, JLL delivered impressive growth which serves as a solid foundation for further success.” 

O'Brien, based in D.C., joined JLL in 2008 when it acquired The Staubach Co., the tenant representation firm where he served as CEO. He was named JLL's CEO of the Americas in 2014 and spearheaded efforts to acquire multiple U.S.-based firms before being promoted to the role of Markets Advisory CEO in 2020. 

Poppink previously served as CEO of JLL's Europe, Middle East and Africa Markets Advisory division. Before that, he was president of its Western U.S. region after working as a tenant broker in the Silicon Valley area. He also worked at Staubach before the acquisition.

The company said the changes "reflect JLL’s ongoing commitment to focus on growth and develop exceptional talent at all levels of the company" and will be effective July 1. 

“Andy has built a stellar reputation for achieving outstanding results for clients, identifying and developing talent and forming great teams, advancing diversity and inclusion, and guiding innovative solutions for our teams and clients," Ulbrich said in a release. I am confident that he will further strengthen JLL’s global connectivity.”